---
type: api
title: Start the ILM plugin
description: Start the index lifecycle management plugin if it is currently stopped.
url: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4493/api/doc/elasticsearch/operation/operation-ilm-start
resource: https://www.elastic.co/elastic/docs-builder/docs/4493/api/doc/elasticsearch/operation/operation-ilm-start
products:
  - Elasticsearch
---

# Start the ILM plugin

Availability: Generally available since 6.6

## Paths

- `POST` `/_ilm/start`

## Description

Start the index lifecycle management plugin if it is currently stopped.
ILM is started automatically when the cluster is formed.
Restarting ILM is necessary only when it has been stopped using the stop ILM API.

## Required authorization

- Cluster privileges: `manage_ilm`

## Authentication

- Api key: `Authorization: <value>`
  Elasticsearch APIs support key-based authentication.
  You must create an API key and use the encoded value in the request header.
  For example:
  
  
  ```
  curl -X GET "${ES_URL}/_cat/indices?v=true" \
    -H "Authorization: ApiKey ${API_KEY}"
  ```
  
  To get API keys, use the `/_security/api_key` APIs.
- Basic: `Authorization: Basic <credentials>`
- Bearer: `Authorization: Bearer <token>`
  Elasticsearch APIs support the use of bearer tokens in the `Authorization` HTTP header to authenticate with the API.
  For examples, refer to [Token-based authentication services](https://www.elastic.co/docs/deploy-manage/users-roles/cluster-or-deployment-auth/token-based-authentication-services)

## Query string parameters

- `master_timeout` (string · default: 30s) — optional
  Period to wait for a connection to the master node. If no response is received before the timeout expires, the request fails and returns an error.
- `timeout` (string · default: 30s) — optional
  Period to wait for a response. If no response is received before the timeout expires, the request fails and returns an error.

## Response

`application/json`

- `acknowledged` (boolean)
  For a successful response, this value is always true. On failure, an exception is returned instead.
## Code examples

#### Console

```console
POST _ilm/start
```

#### JavaScript

```javascript
const response = await client.ilm.start();
```

#### Python

```python
resp = client.ilm.start()
```

#### curl

```curl
curl -X POST "$ELASTICSEARCH_URL/_ilm/start" \
  -H "Authorization: ApiKey $ELASTIC_API_KEY"
```

#### Java

```java
client.ilm().start(s -> s);
```

#### C#

```c#
var response = await client.IndexLifecycleManagement.StartAsync();
```

#### PHP

```php
$resp = $client->ilm()->start();
```

#### Ruby

```ruby
response = client.ilm.start
```

## Response examples

#### Start ilmresponse example1

A successful response when stating the ILM plugin.

```json
{
  "acknowledged": true
}
```